WASHINGTON/BRUSSELS - The United States is lobbying hard for Europe to cut itself off from Russian natural gas altogether and instead buy energy from the US on a massive scale. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed this in interviews and official appearances during a working tour of Europe.
"Our goal is to deploy American energy exports toward our allies around the world so they can buy energy from reliable friends, not adversaries. In Europe, where until recently nearly half of our gas imports came from Russia, we are trying to get that share down to zero," Wright was quoted as saying by Russia's TASS news agency.
According to Wright, the United States is not limiting its actions to political challenges, but is already actively filling the gap for Russian supplies. "The biggest filling of that hole has been energy exports from the United States," he said, as reported by Reuters. Washington is thus clearly signalling that it sees its role in Europe's energy sector not only as a solidarity issue but also as a geopolitical and commercial opportunity.
Meanwhile, the European Union has reaffirmed its goal of completely ending imports of Russian gas and oil by January 1, 2028, according to Reuters, a date that was also voiced after Wright's talks with European Commission officials. Brussels also acknowledged that the pace could be faster if market conditions and the availability of alternative supplies allowed. Ukraine's Interfax-Ukraine news agency added that EU institutions are even discussing a legal ban on new contracts with Russian firms before 2028.
A wide range of alternative sources is part of the US strategy. In addition to liquefied natural gas (LNG), this includes oil and nuclear technology. According to Interfax-Ukraine, the EU-US agreement includes a commitment that European purchases from America will reach a value of up to $750 billion by 2028. US business sources, such as ExxonMobil, expect Brussels to conclude new long-term contracts to ensure stable supplies. This information was reported by the Financial Times.
But Europe faces a number of challenges. Economists cited by Reuters point out that US gas is not always cheaper than Russian pipeline gas, and its price is subject to global market fluctuations. Political analysts, for their part, warn that energy dependence will shift away from Moscow but intensify toward Washington.
Another layer is the issue of climate policy. European environmentalists and some political parties recall that the European Union has promised to become carbon neutral by the middle of the century. The switch to US LNG, still a fossil fuel source, therefore represents a step backwards, according to critics. As the Financial Times points out, some European politicians want to link new contracts with the US to investment in renewable energy and emission-reducing technologies.
The result so far is double-edged. A faster withdrawal from Russian raw materials would weaken Moscow's revenues, but at the same time Europe would shift its dependence on American producers. In the coming weeks, it will be crucial whether Brussels actually adopts a legal ban on new Russian contracts, what long-term contracts it signs with US firms, and how it reconciles short-term energy needs with long-term climate goals.
gnews.cz - GH
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